Anyone who only knows the nettle as a weed seems to know hardly anything about it. This plant is full of vital substances. That is why it is valued as a medicinal plant in naturopathy. But it can also be used to enjoy and feast!
How can you eat nettles safely?
Stinging nettles can be eaten raw or processed without causing burns. You can roll them over, place them in warm water and wring them out, rub them over the plant parts with a knife or mix them. They can be used, for example, in salads, smoothies, juices, herb dips, yogurt sauces or as spinach.
Raw and processed edible
The nettle is edible both raw and processed. This applies to all parts of the plant, with its leaves and seeds being the most commonly consumed. However, most people are afraid to try them raw because they are afraid of their stinging hairs. And rightly so, because if you proceed headlessly, you can quickly burn your tongue.
Recipes for raw nettles
If the nettles are processed, ingredients such as vitamin C and B vitamins are lost. It is therefore advisable - if possible - to eat the nettles raw. This is completely safe:
- Roll over the nettles with a rolling pin
- or place nettles briefly in warm water and wring out with a cloth
- or run a knife over the parts of the plant
- or mix nettles
The procedures mentioned cause the hairs to break, the nettle poison comes out and can no longer cause you hives. In this state, the nettles can be used, for example, in salads together with tomatoes or cucumbers. They are also suitable for smoothies, juices, herb dips and yogurt sauces.
Process nettles into spinach
The most famous recipe is probably the one in which nettle leaves are made into spinach:
- Chop onion
- sauté with 200 g chopped nettle leaves and butter
- fill with 200 ml water and 50 ml cream
- season with nutmeg, pepper, mustard and s alt
- Cook for 10 to 20 minutes and puree roughly
Other ideas for using nettles
There are many other recipe ideas for using nettle leaves. They go well with many dishes. Whether stewed with meat, in risotto, in a vegetable stew, in a herb sauce, in a casserole or chopped into small pieces in an omelette - the possibilities are endless. The nettle seeds are suitable for muesli, yoghurt dishes and salads.
Tip
Introduce nettle to your menu regularly! It is richer in nutrients, fresher and less polluted than cultivated vegetables. It is also available free of charge in nature from April to October.
